GAP Commercialization Investment Program
The FSU Office of Commercialization is a proud organizer of the GAP Commercialization Investment competition, a regular event designed to support faculty members looking to move their work from the lab to the marketplace.
If you are interested in participating in GAP, please contact AVP Valerie McDevitt, or Licensing Managers Steve Medina, Raghuram Dhumpa, or Aditya Bhattacharya.
Important Dates
The Seed Translation Research Project (STRP) 2025 solicitation, an award for FSU faculty that funds projects that translate research, is open now!
- Letters of Intent Due: May 16, 2025
- Invitation for Proposal Submission: May 28 2025
- Proposal Due: June 13, 2025
- Project Start Date: July 14, 2025
If you have any questions, reach out to commercialization-agreements@fsu.edu.
Program Description
The GAP Program is designed to support enhancements of inventions or other original works that have been disclosed to FSU. It funds projects that will quickly improve the odds that important research leads to a commercially viable new product or service.
The FSU Research Foundation has allocated funds under this program to invest in technology projects that transforms ongoing research into promising business opportunities.
GAP projects should reach completion within a year. Extensions are not granted, unless significant justification for incomplete projects are approved. Funded tasks will be performed under the supervision of the proposing faculty member; but may include third party efforts within or outside the University. The investments will be funded to meet project objectives. Investment funds may be used to pay labor expenses, or to obtain materials, services, and assistance outside the University; investments may not be used for student tuition or Principal Investigator(s) and faculty salaries. Overhead charges should not be included in project investment requests. Strong preference will be given to projects with timelines indicating less than one year, ones with regular milestones, ones with external participation, and for those requesting funding that is less than $50,000.
The purpose of the GAP investment program is to prepare technology for commercialization, not as a mechanism to fund students, postdoctoral fellows, or for basic research.
Proposal Preparation
The GAP program is a two-step process. The first step is to complete a pre-proposal submission outlining specific ideas for GAP funding. The pre-proposal is reviewed by non-University panel. If the pre-proposal is selected to participate in creating a full GAP proposal, you will be asked to submit a final proposal.
Required Elements of a GAP Nomination
1. A two- to three-page (max.) pre-proposal
2. If pre-proposal is accepted, a full GAP proposal that includes:
- Biography of a Principal Investigator (PI)
- A description of the problem to be solved
- Novel technology (include a solution using the technology)
- Potential solution(s)
- Picture/diagram of the potential product (optional)
- Description of the market (include market size & competition)
- A work plan and timeline (less than one year preferred)
- Budget breakdown
- Letters of interest from potential commercial partners (optional)
- Discussion with Licensing Manager about IP Protection
3. PowerPoint Presentation - PDFs will not be accepted (10-minute limit)
Note: Presentations will not be made to the GAP committee unless IP Protection is secured.
4. Participation in a "practice" presentation
5. Presentation to the GAP committee
Important Information and Documents
Evaluation, Awards and Reports
Initial review and comments will be provided by the Office of Commercialization.
Competitive review and funding recommendations will be provided by a committee which is chaired by an FSURF board member and includes outside business members. Final approval will be made by the FSU Research Foundation Board of Directors.
Once funded, the faculty member and key personnel will report project progress and accomplishments at their scheduled milestones.
At completion, a Final Report will be provided within 30 days and a brief Annual Status Report will be required for 3 years to assist in evaluating the GAP program and determining its direct and indirect benefits to FSU, including new products, new companies, new services, and new related federal or other external grants.
GAP Committee
Chris Eldred, President, Teligent EMS
Chuck Hall, Retires, HCA Healthcare National Group President
Eric Holmes, Assistant Vice President for Research
Stacey Patterson, Vice President for Research
Charles Ranson, International Trade and Development Consultant
Amy Recht, Manager, Beresford Ventures, LLC
Steve Roden, Chief Executive Office, Gray Harvey Enterprises
Don Rosenkoetter, Managing Director, Co-Investment Partnership, LLC
Chris Rumana, Retired Physician
Jamie Rutledge, Head of Technology Scouting, Dyson
Kay Stephenson, President and CEO, Datamaxx Group
Kim Williams, President, Marpan Supply Co., Inc.